Displaying a display portion including an icon enabling an item to be added to a list

ABSTRACT

The disclosed embodiments are directed to displaying a portion of a list of items and selecting an icon in the list that when activated allows additional items to be added to the list.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The aspects of the disclosed embodiments generally relate to displayinginformation and more particularly to displaying information in acarousel format.

2. Brief Description of Related Developments

Occasionally, when viewing items on a screen of an electronic device,the number of items to be displayed include too many to show on thescreen at once. This situation may be aggravated as electronic devicesbecome smaller and more portable and tend to have relatively smalldisplays. In some instances, the items may be viewed by scrolling, thatis, by moving some items presently in the field of view out of the fieldof view and replacing them with other items.

Some displays always include an additional icon that when selectedprovides a user with the ability to add an additional item. This may beundesirable if always displaying the additional icon results in crowdingthe screen, causes the size of other icons to be smaller than desired,or adds an icon that a user would rather not have displayed on thescreen.

In some instances, displaying notifications related to items on thescreen also causes undesirable crowding. Some of the present solutionsinclude always displaying an event indicator on the item, which maypartially block the item or generally detract from the display. Inaddition, a user may not want a constant reminder of the eventnotification.

These and other problems may be overcome by the embodiments disclosedherein.

SUMMARY

The disclosed embodiments are directed to a method including displayinga portion of a list of items and selecting an icon in the list that whenactivated allows additional items to be added to the list.

The embodiments also include an apparatus having a display configured todisplay a list of items, and a processor configured to provide scrollingto a selected portion of the list and configured to display an icon thatwhen activated allows additional items to be added to the list.

The disclosed embodiments are also directed to a user interfaceincluding a display configured to display a list of items and an iconthat when activated allows additional items to be added to the list, anda user interface configured to provide scrolling to a selected portionof the list, and configured to activate the icon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and other features of the embodiments areexplained in the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an example of display of an exemplary carousel displaytechnique according to the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a system in which aspects of thedisclosed embodiments may be applied;

FIGS. 3A-3D show exemplary navigation techniques used in the disclosedembodiments;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an exemplary embodiment that enables adding afirst item to an empty list of items;

FIGS. 5A-5C show an exemplary embodiment that includes displaying anindicator signifying that an “add items” icon is available;

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate another exemplary embodiment that includespartially displaying the add items icon on both ends of a number ofdisplayed items;

FIGS. 7A-7D show an exemplary embodiment which includes scrolling untila last item is wholly displayed and a partially visible add items iconis partially displayed;

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an exemplary embodiment where an add itemsicon may be partially displayed at an edge of a display;

FIGS. 9A and 9B show another embodiment that includes inserting an additems icon between a first item and a last item;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a technique for removingan item from an item list;

FIGS. 11A-11D show an exemplary embodiment which provides for moving anitem in an item list;

FIGS. 12A, 12B 13A-13D, and 14A and 14B show additional exemplaryembodiments that provide for scrolling the item list;

FIGS. 15, 16A, and 16B show an exemplary embodiment where a symbolindicates that an item has notifications;

FIGS. 17A and 176 are illustrations of exemplary devices that can beused to practice aspects of the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 18 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary system incorporatingfeatures that may be used to practice aspects of the disclosedembodiments; and

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating the general architecture of anexemplary system in which the devices of FIGS. 17A and 176 may be used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an example of display 100 that demonstrates an exemplarycarousel display technique. When a number of items 101 is too numerousto be displayed, the list of items 102 may be thought of as extendingbeyond the display in a ring. The items may be perceived conceptually asrotating around, similar to a carousel, with the display 100 acting as awindow to a portion of the items. In this exemplary embodiment, the partof the display 103 showing the displayed items may be referred to as aribbon or also as the uni-dimensional carousel mentioned above. In thisexample, when scrolling to the right past the last item, the first itemappears and the items are repeatedly displayed in that order to theright. When scrolling in the opposite direction to the left past thefirst item to the last item, the second to last item appears and theitems are repeatedly displayed in the opposite order to the left. Whilethe disclosed embodiments will be described in the context of scrollingleft and right, it should be understood that scrolling may occur in anyfirst and second directions so long as the first scrolling direction isthe opposite of the second scrolling direction.

The aspects of the disclosed embodiments generally provide formanipulation of a uni-dimensional list of items which may be in the formof graphical elements. The elements may be items portrayed on a displayand may include, for example, files, folders, application shortcuts,browser bookmarks, contact information, images, video files, audio filesincluding music, or other types of information, or groups ofinformation. Upon selection of an item, that item is further selectablefor actions such as displaying and selecting among menu selections,initiating an application including a browser, initiating a call to acontact, initiating a text message to a contact, displaying an image,playing an audio file, or any other suitable action.

The items may be displayed in a ribbon format that may be scrolled inthe first or second directions and may be held stationary at any pointin the list, allowing a user to selectively display items of interest.The embodiments include different scrolling options and differenttechniques for displaying an “add items” icon. The icon may be activatedautomatically or upon selection to allow for adding one or more items tothe item list.

The disclosed embodiments also include displaying an indication thatnotifications may be present for one or more items in the item list andproviding an option to scroll to items having notifications.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a system 105 in which aspects ofthe disclosed embodiments can be applied. Although the disclosedembodiments will be described with reference to the embodiments shown inthe drawings and described below, it should be understood that thesecould be embodied in many alternate forms. In addition, any suitablesize, shape or type of elements or materials could be used.

Device 105 may be a portable device, for example, a portable personalcomputer or a mobile communications terminal, or may be a fixed device,for example, a terminal at a kiosk or a fixed communications terminal.Device 105 may be any suitable device, provided it includes a userinterface capable of performing the operations described according tothe disclosed embodiments. Device 105 may have a user interface 107,including at least one touch screen display 112 and scrolling circuitry119. Device 105 may also include a processor 122, a storage device 182,and optionally a communications function 170. The components of device105 may be implemented in any combination of hardware and software.

The user interface 107 of the disclosed embodiments may include inputand output devices for interaction with one or more users. Userinterface 107 may include both touch and non-touch devices. Touchdevices may include a touch screen or proximity screen device 112 whichmay be responsive to user input and may also include a display. Inalternate embodiments, the aspects of the user interface 107 disclosedherein may be embodied on any suitable device that will displayinformation and allow the selection and activation of applications,system content, and the functions of the embodiments described herein.The terms “select” and “touch” are generally described with respect to atouch screen-display. However, in alternate embodiments, the terms arealso intended to encompass required user action with respect to otherinput devices.

For example, with respect to the touch/proximity screen device 112, itmay not be necessary for a user to make direct contact with thetouch/proximity screen device 112 in order to select an object, otherinformation, or to initiate an application. The terms are intended toencompass that a user only needs to be within the proximity oftouch/proximity screen device 112 to carry out the desired function,that is, the term “touch” in the context of the touch/proximity screendevice 112, does not necessarily require direct contact, but may includenear or close contact that activates the touch/proximity screen device112. Similarly, the scope of the intended devices is not limited tosingle touch or contact devices. Examples of single and multi-touchoperations may include a touchdown, where a user touches a particularpart of the a screen of the touch/proximity screen device 112, a touchrelease, where a user ends contact with the touch/proximity screen 112,a move or a drag, where the user touches the touch/proximity screen 112and moves while maintaining contact with the screen, a pinch, where theuser touches the touch/proximity screen device 112 in two points and“drags” the two points together or apart, and a rotation, where the usertouches the touch/proximity screen device 112 in two points and rotatesthe points. Any operations where contact or near contact by one or morefingers or other pointing devices can navigate on and about the screenare also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.

Scrolling circuitry 119 may include sensors associated with touchdisplay 112 for sensing single and multi-touch operations and causingitems displayed on the touch screen to move accordingly. Scrollingcircuitry 119 typically communicates with processor 122 and storagedevice 182 including applications 180 and application settings 184,described below.

“Non-touch” operations are also intended to be encompassed by thedisclosed embodiments. Non-touch operations may include, but are notlimited to, devices without touch or proximity screens. In someembodiments, non touch operations may include navigating or scrollingacross a display or among items on the display by pressing hard or softkeys as part of the user interface 107 or by issuing voice commands. Theuser interface 107 may also include keys 110, for example, hard keys,soft keys, a keyboard, etc. for receiving user input, and a microphone113 for receiving the voice commands. The user interface 107 may alsoinclude a tactile response device 115, for example, a vibrator, or otherdevice that provides tactile feedback to the user as a user performs anon-touch, touch or multi-touch operation. For example, the tactileresponse device 115 may be built into the display and may cause a “pressback” in the area touched by the user. In other examples, the tactileresponse device 115 may simply vibrate or may provide any other form oftactile response that presents a user with an indication that an inputhas been recognized.

The user interface 107 may also include one or more displays 114 which,as mentioned above, may be part of touch/proximity screen 112, or may beseparate devices. The one or more displays generally provide informationto a user including menus for selecting functions of the device 105.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the processor 122 operates to control thefunctions of the device 105. The processor may receive inputs, forexample, signals, transmissions, instructions or commands related to thefunctions of the device 105 from user interface 107, scrolling circuitry119, storage device 182, and communications function 170. The processor122 interprets the inputs and controls the functions of the device 105accordingly. In some embodiments, the processor 122 receives inputs fromthe user interface 107 related to selecting icons on the display 114,navigating menu structures, or otherwise making selections andinitiating applications. In response, the processor 122 displays desireditems on the display 114 and runs the requested applications. Inparticular, the processor may receive user input related to scrollingitems on the display 112 and may control adding various items to orsubtracting various items from the display as will be described below.

The processor 122, in combination with one or more of the user interface107, scrolling circuitry 119, and programs in the storage device 182 mayoperate to sense when a number of items are too numerous to bedisplayed, when a user touches down on a portion of the user interface,or when a user presses one or more hard or soft keys. The processor 122,in combination with the other components, may also determine that theuser is scrolling one or more displayed items in a direction, and mayoperate to automatically display the scrolling operation according tothe disclosed embodiments.

Storage device 182 generally includes instructions or commands for theprocessor 122 related to the functions of the device 105. Storage device182 includes computer readable media encoded with computer executablecomponents, software, programs, instructions, commands, etc. forimplementing the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular, operationsrelated to scrolling items across touch display 112. Storage device 182may utilize optical, magnetic, chemical, electrical, or any othersuitable properties for receiving, storing, or delivering instructionsand commands. Storage device 182 may include magnetic media, such as adiskette, disk, memory stick or computer hard drive, which is readableand executable by a computer. In other embodiments, storage device 182may include optical disks, read-only-memory (“ROM”) floppy disks andsemiconductor materials and chips. Storage device 182 may generallyutilize any suitable technology for implementing the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

Storage device 182 may also include applications 180 and applicationsettings 184 for other functions, for example, data acquisition (e.g.image, video and sound), data processing (spread sheets, word processor,contact lists, currency converters, etc.), multimedia players (e.g.video and music players), various web services, and any other suitableapplications. Storage device 182 may also include one or more databases186 that include data, maps, contact information, or other information.

Communications function 170 may include circuitry and programs forproviding any suitable communications tasks for implementing thedisclosed embodiments. Communications function may include facilitiesfor any type of satellite, mobile, wireless, wide area network, localarea network, or public switched telephone network communications, orany other suitable communication facilities.

The embodiments may include displaying one or more items in a ribbonformat. FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate examples of navigation across a ribbon330 on a display 335. Navigation across the ribbon 330 may beaccomplished by non touch operations, for example, by using soft or hardkeys on user interface 107 (FIG. 2), or using touch operations, forexample, by touching down and dragging an item. In FIG. 3A an item 300may initially be selected. In FIG. 3B, a user may navigate right toselect the next item 305 to the right. If the user continues to navigateto the right, item 310 may then be selected as shown in FIG. 3C. Stillcontinuing to navigate to the right may result in selecting the nextitem to the right 315.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an exemplary embodiment that enables adding afirst item to an empty list of items. An initial view may include an additems icon 400 in the ribbon 410, as shown in FIG. 4A.

In this and other embodiments, selecting the add items icon maygenerally provide a user with the ability to add an additional item tothe item list. In some embodiments, selecting the add items icon mayprovide the user with the ability to add an additional item to the itemlist by selecting the item from a predefined collection of items. Forexample, in an embodiment where the item list is a list of favoritecontacts, selecting the add items icon may generally allow a user toselect one or more contacts from a company phone book and add them tothe item list. In another embodiment where the item list includes imagesor music, selecting the add items icon may allow the user to select animage or song from a pre-defined collection or from a service thatprovides images or songs. In other embodiments, selecting the add itemsicon may provide a user with a form to fill out that may automaticallypopulate different fields of information. In still other embodiments,selecting the add items icon may initiate a “wizard” that may provide aninteractive guide to generating a new item or a selection process forselecting an item for the item list.

The disclosed embodiments may provide for selecting the add items iconusing any suitable touch or non touch mechanism or technique. Forexample, a user may select the icon by touching down briefly or tappingthe add items icon. In other embodiments, the user may use one or morehard or soft keys to select the add items icon.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 46, once a contact 415 has been addedto the item list, the add items icon may no longer be displayed.

Turning now to the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5C, after a number of itemshave been added to the item list, one or more items 510 may be displayedin the ribbon 500. As shown in FIG. 5A, upon selection of an item 515 inthe ribbon, an indicator 520 may be displayed on either end, or bothends of the one or more displayed items 510 signifying that the additems icon is available. As shown in FIG. 5B, when scrolling past thelast item 525 in a direction toward an indicator 520, the add items icon530 may be displayed as shown in FIG. 5C, and may be selected to performoperations to add an additional item to the item list. Note that itemsmay be selected and scrolling may be accomplished using one or more ofthe selection.

Returning to FIG. 4A, as mentioned above, an initial view may include anadd items icon 400 in the ribbon 410. Turning to FIG. 6A, in anotherembodiment, the add items icon 400 may remain visible after adding oneor more items 600 to the item list. In FIG. 6B, when the ribbon 610 isfull, the one or more items 600 may be wholly displayed in the ribbon610 and the add items icon 615, 620 may remain visible but may bepartially displayed on both ends of the wholly displayed items 600. InFIG. 6C, upon selection of one of the add items icons, for example, icon615, the items 600 are scrolled toward the opposite end until the additems icon 615 is wholly displayed. The add items icon 615 may beselected to perform operations to add an additional item to the itemlist. Upon completion, or upon performing other operations, the displaymay return to the configuration shown in FIG. 6B.

FIG. 7A shows an exemplary embodiment which may include scrolling to theright until a last item 700 is wholly displayed in the leftmost wholeposition 710 on a display 715, and displaying a partially visible additems icon 720 to the left of the last item 700. Upon selection of theadd items icon 720 the add items icon 720 may be scrolled to theleftmost position 710 as shown in FIG. 7B.

After the add items icon 720 has been scrolled to the leftmost position710 in FIG. 76, additional operations may commence to add an additionalitem to the item list either automatically, or upon another selection ofthe icon.

Another embodiment shown in FIG. 7C may include scrolling to the leftuntil another last item 725 is wholly displayed in the rightmostposition 730 on the display, and displaying a partially visible additems icon 735 to the right of the another last item 725. Upon selectionof the add items icon 735 the add items icon 735 may be scrolled to therightmost position 730 and additional operations may commence to add anadditional item to the one or more items. In some embodiments,additional operations may only commence upon another selection of theadd items icon.

Still another exemplary embodiment is shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. As shownin FIG. 8A, a number of items 810 may be displayed in the ribbon 815including partially displayed items 820, 825 on one or both sides of thedisplay 830. Upon scrolling to one of the partially displayed items, forexample, item 825, the item 825 may be wholly displayed as shown in FIG.8B and the add items icon 835 may be partially displayed in place of theitem 825 now wholly displayed. The add items icon 835 may be selected toperform operations to add an additional item to the item list.

FIG. 9A shows another embodiment 900 that may include inserting the additems icon 910 between a first item 915 and a last item 920 in an itemlist 925. Upon scrolling to display the add items icon 910, the icon isremoved if not selected within a specified period of time as shown inFIG. 9B. As mentioned above, scrolling and selecting may be accomplishedusing any touch or non touch technique. For example, a user may navigateand select among items in the item list 925 using one or more hard orsoft keys of the user interface. A user may also touchdown on an itemdrag the item in a particular direction, and lift off while stillmoving. This may cause the items in the item list to scroll in theparticular direction at a speed determined from a speed of the draggingmotion. The items may continue to scroll until the add items icon 910 isdisplayed.

For each embodiment, in the event that a user fails to begin operationsto add the additional item, the add items icon may be removed from thedisplay or restored to its previous partially displayed position after aperiod of time.

Yet another exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 10 may includeremoving an item 1000 from the item list 1010. Upon selection of theitem 1000 in the ribbon 1015, the selected item 1000 may be removed fromthe item list by operating a soft or hard key, performing a gesture, ora single touch or multi-touch operation. Optionally, selecting the item1000 may open a menu 1020 of options for the item 1000. The menu 1020may include a selection 1025 for removing the item 1000. In someembodiments, the menu 1020 may be opened by touching down and continuingto press on the item 1000.

FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate typical operations for moving an item 1100 onthe items list 1105. Referring to FIG. 11A, selecting the item 1100 mayopen a menu 1115 that may include a selection 1120 for moving the item1100. In some embodiments, the menu 1115 may also be opened by touchingdown and continuing to press on the item 1100. As shown in FIG. 11B,selecting the menu selection 1120 causes the item being moved 1100 to beseparated from the item list 1105. A marker 1125 may also be displayed,indicating where the item being moved 1100 may be placed. The user maymove the marker 1125, or the item 1100 and marker 1125 together, byusing non touch techniques including manipulating soft or hard keys onthe user interface. The user may also move the marker 1125, or the item1100 and marker 1125 by using touch operations, for example touching adesired position. FIG. 11C shows an exemplary desired position 1130 inthe items list 1105. In this example, the user has moved the selecteditem 100 two positions to the left. The first move may move the item1100 and marker 1125 one position to the left and the second move maycause the ribbon 1135 to scroll one position to the right. The user maythen operate a soft or hard key, perform a gesture, a single touch, or amulti-touch operation to cause the item 1100 to be inserted into theribbon at the desired location 1130 as shown in FIG. 11D.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show yet another exemplary embodiment that providesfor scrolling the item list 1200. The item list 1200 may be scrolled bya touch action, for example, by a touchdown, described above, on apartially displayed item 1210 at an edge of the screen 1215. In someembodiments, touching down on the partially displayed item 1210 at oneedge 1220 of the screen 1215 may cause the item list 1200 to scrolltowards the opposite edge 1225. As shown in FIG. 12B, the item list 1200may scroll and stop when the touched item 1210 is wholly displayed atthe opposite edge 1225. In other embodiments, touching down andcontinuing to press on the partially displayed item 1210 at one edge1220 of the screen 1215 may cause the item list 1200 to scroll towardsthe opposite edge 1225 continuously until the user lifts off the screen1215.

FIGS. 13A-13D show exemplary navigation techniques according to thedisclosed embodiments. Referring to FIG. 13A, a user may execute a drag,explained above, by touching down on the display 1300 on an item 1310 inthe ribbon 1320 and moving while maintaining contact with the display1300. Upon reaching a desired position 1325, the user may stop movingand lift off the display. As a result all items in the item list 1330may shift the same number of positions as item 1310 in the direction ofthe drag as shown in FIG. 13B. Turning to FIG. 13C, a user may alsotouchdown on an item 1330, drag the item in a particular direction 1335,and lift off while still moving. This may cause the items in the itemlist 1330 to scroll in the direction 1335 at a speed determined from aspeed of the dragging motion. The items may continue to scroll and maynot stop until the user touches down on an item 1340 in the ribbon 1330as shown in FIG. 13D.

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate another embodiment that may includeinserting the add items icon 1400 between a first item 1405 and a lastitem 1410 in an item list 1415. As shown in FIG. 14A, a user may alsotouchdown on an item 1420, drag the item in a particular direction 1425,and lift off while still moving. This may cause the items in the itemlist 1405 to scroll in the direction 1425 at a speed determined from aspeed of the dragging motion. The items may continue to scroll until theadd items icon 1400 appears after the last item 1410 in the item list1415.

The disclosed embodiments may also include displaying a notification.FIG. 15 shows an exemplary embodiment where a symbol 1500 is displayedas an overlay on an item 1505 in an item list 1510 that has one or morenotifications. Notifications may generally include user alerts,including, without limitation, indications that a message or task may bepending related to the item, user interaction may be required for theitem, or any other type of user alert. Selecting or touching anotification may cause the notification to be displayed.

In some embodiments, the ribbon may be configured to automaticallyscroll to display an item having a notification. As shown in FIG. 16A, anotification 1600 has been received for an item 1605 that is outside theribbon 1610. The ribbon 1610 may automatically scroll so that the item1605 is visible in the ribbon 1610 as shown in FIG. 166. The ribbon mayalways automatically scroll to the last item for which a notificationhas been received.

Some examples of devices on which aspects of the disclosed embodimentscan be practiced are illustrated with respect to FIGS. 17A-17B. Thedevices are merely exemplary and are not intended to encompass allpossible devices or all aspects of devices on which the disclosedembodiments can be practiced. The aspects of the disclosed embodimentscan rely on very basic capabilities of devices and their user interface.Buttons or key inputs can be used for selecting the various selectioncriteria and links, and a scroll function can be used to move to andselect item(s).

FIG. 17A illustrates one example of a device 1700 that can be used topractice aspects of the disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIG. 17A, inone embodiment, the device 1700 may have a keypad 1710 as an inputdevice and a display 1720 for an output device. The keypad 1710 mayinclude any suitable user input devices such as, for example, amulti-function/scroll key 1730, soft keys 1731, 1732, a call key 1733,an end call key 1734 and alphanumeric keys 1735. In one embodiment, thedevice 1700 can include an image capture device such as a camera (notshown) as a further input device. The display 1720 may be any suitabledisplay, such as for example, a touch screen display or graphical userinterface. The display may be integral to the device 1700 or the displaymay be a peripheral display connected or coupled to the device 1700. Apointing device, such as for example, a stylus, pen or simply the user'sfinger may be used in conjunction with the display 1720 for cursormovement, menu selection and other input and commands. In alternateembodiments any suitable pointing or touch device, or other navigationcontrol may be used. In other alternate embodiments, the display may bea conventional display. The device 400 may also include other suitablefeatures such as, for example a loud speaker, tactile feedback devicesor connectivity port. The mobile communications device may have aprocessor 1718 connected or coupled to the display for processing userinputs and displaying information on the display 1720. A memory 1702 maybe connected to the processor 1718 for storing any suitable information,data, settings and/or applications associated with the mobilecommunications device 1700.

Although the above embodiments are described as being implemented on andwith a mobile communication device, it will be understood that thedisclosed embodiments can be practiced on any suitable deviceincorporating a processor, memory and supporting software or hardware.For example, the disclosed embodiments can be implemented on varioustypes of music, gaming and multimedia devices. In one embodiment, thesystem 105 of FIG. 2 may be for example, a personal digital assistant(PDA) style device 1750 illustrated in FIG. 17B. The personal digitalassistant 1750 may have a keypad 1752, cursor control 1754, a touchscreen display 1756, and a pointing device 1760 for use on the touchscreen display 1756. In still other alternate embodiments, the devicemay be a personal computer, a tablet computer, touch pad device,Internet tablet, a laptop or desktop computer, a mobile terminal, acellular/mobile phone, a multimedia device, a personal communicator, atelevision set top box, a digital video/versatile disk (DVD) or highdefinition player or any other suitable device capable of containing forexample a display 114 shown in FIG. 2, and supported electronics such asthe processor 1718 and memory 1702 of FIG. 17A. In one embodiment, thesedevices will be Internet enabled and include GPS and map capabilitiesand functions.

In the embodiment where the device 1700 comprises a mobilecommunications device, the device can be adapted for communication in atelecommunication system, such as that shown in FIG. 18. In such asystem, various telecommunications services such as cellular voicecalls, worldwide web/wireless application protocol (www/wap) browsing,cellular video calls, data calls, facsimile transmissions, datatransmissions, music transmissions, multimedia transmissions, stillimage transmission, video transmissions, electronic messagetransmissions and electronic commerce may be performed between themobile terminal 1800 and other devices, such as another mobile terminal1806, a line telephone 1832, a personal computer 1826 and/or an internetserver 1822.

In one embodiment the system is configured to enable any one orcombination of chat messaging, instant messaging, text messaging and/orelectronic mail. It is to be noted that for different embodiments of themobile device or terminal 1700, and in different situations, some of thetelecommunications services indicated above may or may not be available.The aspects of the disclosed embodiments are not limited to anyparticular set of services or communication, protocol or language inthis respect.

The mobile terminals 1800, 1806 may be connected to a mobiletelecommunications network 1810 through radio frequency (RF) links 1802,1808 via base stations 1804, 1809. The mobile telecommunications network1810 may be in compliance with any commercially available mobiletelecommunications standard such as for example the global system formobile communications (GSM), universal mobile telecommunication system(UMTS), digital advanced mobile phone service (D-AMPS), code divisionmultiple access 2000 (CDMA2000), wideband code division multiple access(WCDMA), wireless local area network (WLAN), freedom of mobilemultimedia access (FOMA) and time division-synchronous code divisionmultiple access (TD-SCDMA).

The mobile telecommunications network 1810 may be operatively connectedto a wide-area network 1820, which may be the Internet or a partthereof. An Internet server 1822 has data storage 1824 and is connectedto the wide area network 1820, as is an Internet client 1827. The server1822 may host a worldwide web/wireless application protocol servercapable of serving worldwide web/wireless application protocol contentto the mobile terminal 1800. The mobile terminal 1800 can also becoupled via link 1842 to the internet 1820. In one embodiment, link 1842can comprise a wired or wireless link, such as a Universal Serial Bus(USB) or Bluetooth™ connection, for example.

A public switched telephone network (PSTN) 1830 may be connected to themobile telecommunications network 1810 in a familiar manner. Varioustelephone terminals, including the stationary telephone 1832, may beconnected to the public switched telephone network 1830.

The mobile terminal 1800 is also capable of communicating locally via alocal link 1801 to one or more local devices 1803. The local link 1801may be any suitable type of link or piconet with a limited range, suchas for example Bluetooth™, a USB link, a wireless Universal Serial Bus(WUSB) link, an IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN) link, anRS-232 serial link, etc. The local devices 1803 can, for example, bevarious sensors that can communicate measurement values or other signalsto the mobile terminal 1800 over the local link 1801. The above examplesare not intended to be limiting, and any suitable type of link or shortrange communication protocol may be utilized. The local devices 1803 maybe antennas and supporting equipment forming a wireless local areanetwork implementing Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access(WiMAX, IEEE 802.16), WiFi (IEEE 802.11x) or other communicationprotocols. The wireless local area network may be connected to theInternet. The mobile terminal 1800 may thus have multi-radio capabilityfor connecting wirelessly using mobile communications network 1810,wireless local area network or both. Communication with the mobiletelecommunications network 1810 may also be implemented using WiFi,Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, or any other suitableprotocols, and such communication may utilize unlicensed portions of theradio spectrum (e.g. unlicensed mobile access (UMA)).

The disclosed embodiments may also include software and computerprograms incorporating the process steps and instructions describedabove. In one embodiment, the programs incorporating the process stepsdescribed herein can be executed in one or more computers. FIG. 19 is ablock diagram of one embodiment of a typical apparatus 1900incorporating features that may be used to practice aspects of theinvention. The apparatus 1900 can include computer readable program codemeans for carrying out and executing the process steps described herein.In one embodiment the computer readable program code is stored in amemory of the device. In alternate embodiments the computer readableprogram code can be stored in memory or memory medium that is externalto, or remote from, the apparatus 1900. The memory can be direct coupledor wireless coupled to the apparatus 1900. As shown, a computer system1902 may be linked to another computer system 1904, such that thecomputer systems 1902 and 1904 are capable of sending information toeach other and receiving information from each other. In one embodiment,computer system 1902 could include a server computer adapted tocommunicate with a network 1906. Alternatively, where only one computersystem is used, such as computer system 1904, computer system 1904 willbe configured to communicate with and interact with the network 1906.Computer systems 1902 and 1904 can be linked together in anyconventional manner including, for example, a modem, wireless, hard wireconnection, or fiber optic link. Generally, information can be madeavailable to both computer systems 1902 and 1904 using a communicationprotocol typically sent over a communication channel or other suitableconnection or line, communication channel or link. In one embodiment,the communication channel comprises a suitable broad-band communicationchannel. Computers systems 1902 and 1904 are generally adapted toutilize program storage devices embodying machine-readable programsource code, which is adapted to cause the computer systems 1902 and1904 to perform the method steps and processes disclosed herein. Theprogram storage devices incorporating aspects of the disclosedembodiments may be devised, made and used as a component of a machineutilizing optics, magnetic properties and/or electronics to perform theprocedures and methods disclosed herein. In alternate embodiments, theprogram storage devices may include magnetic media, such as a diskette,disk, memory stick or computer hard drive, which is readable andexecutable by a computer. In other alternate embodiments, the programstorage devices could include optical disks, read-only-memory (“ROM”)floppy disks and semiconductor materials and chips.

Computer systems 1902 and 1904 may also include a microprocessor forexecuting stored programs. Computer system 1902 may include a datastorage device 1908 on its program storage device for the storage ofinformation and data. The computer program or software incorporating theprocesses and method steps incorporating aspects of the disclosedembodiments may be stored in one or more computer systems 1902 and 1904on an otherwise conventional program storage device. In one embodiment,computer systems 1902 and 1904 may include a user interface 1910, and/ora display interface 1912 from which aspects of the invention can beaccessed. The user interface 1910 and the display interface 1912, whichin one embodiment can comprise a single interface, can be adapted toallow the input of queries, commands, and user interaction to thesystem, as well as present the results, as described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 16A and 16B, for example.

The aspects of the disclosed embodiments generally provide differenttechniques for manipulating a uni-dimensional list of items displayed ina ribbon format. The item list may be scrolled in different directionsand may be held stationary at any point in the list, allowing a user toselectively display items of interest. The embodiments also includedifferent techniques for displaying an add items icon, and fordisplaying an indication that notifications may be present for one ormore items in the item list.

It is noted that the embodiments described herein can be usedindividually or in any combination thereof. It should be understood thatthe foregoing description is only illustrative of the embodiments.Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilledin the art without departing from the embodiments. Accordingly, thepresent embodiments are intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. An apparatus comprising at least one processor andat least one memory storing computer program code, wherein the at leastone memory and stored computer program code are configured, with the atleast one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least: cause displayof a display portion configured to display a portion of a list of items;and cause at least partial display of an icon at an end of the portionof the list, wherein activation of the icon allows an additional item tobe added to the list.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the atleast one memory and stored computer program code are configured, withthe at least one processor, to: select the icon in the list that, whenactivated, allows the additional item to be added to the list.
 23. Theapparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one memory and storedcomputer program code are configured, with the at least one processor,to cause the apparatus to: cause display of an indicator at the end ofthe portion of the list; determine a selection of the indicator; andcause at least partial display of the icon at the end of the portion ofthe list in response to determining the selection of the indicator. 24.The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one memory and storedcomputer program code are configured, with the at least one processor,to cause the apparatus to: scroll the list to wholly display the icon inresponse to determining a selection of the icon.
 25. The apparatus ofclaim 21, wherein the at least one memory and stored computer programcode are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause theapparatus to: cause display of a menu of options associated with an itemof the list of items; and remove the additional item in response toselection of a menu option.
 26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein theat least one memory and stored computer program code are configured,with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to: furthercause the apparatus to cause display of a symbol on an item that has anotification, the symbol being indicative of the notification.
 27. Theapparatus of claim 21, wherein the display portion comprises a ribbon.28. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus comprises a mobilephone comprising a user interface configured to display the displayportion and to receive user input for one or more of manipulatingdisplay of the list of items within the display portion, adding an itemto the list, or removing an item from the list.
 29. A method comprising:causing display of a display portion configured to display a portion ofa list of items; and causing at least partial display of an icon at anend of the portion of the list, wherein activation of the icon allows anadditional item to be added to the list.
 30. The method of claim 29,further comprising: selecting the icon in the list that, when activated,allows the additional item to be added to the list.
 31. The method ofclaim 29, further comprising: causing display of an indicator at the endof the portion of the list; determining a selection of the indicator;and causing at least partial display of the icon at the end of theportion of the list in response to determining the selection of theindicator.
 32. The method of claim 29, further comprising: scrolling thelist to wholly display the icon in response to determining a selectionof the icon.
 33. The method of claim 29, further comprising: causingdisplay of a menu of options associated with an item of the list ofitems; and removing the additional item in response to selection of amenu option.
 34. The method of claim 29, further comprising: furthercausing display of a symbol on an item that has a notification, thesymbol being indicative of the notification.
 35. The method of claim 29,wherein the display portion comprises a ribbon.
 36. A computer programproduct comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium having computer-readable program instructions stored therein, thecomputer-readable program instructions configured to cause an apparatusto at least: cause display of a display portion configured to display aportion of a list of items; and cause at least partial display of anicon at an end of the portion of the list, wherein activation of theicon allows an additional item to be added to the list.
 37. The computerprogram product of claim 36, further comprising program instructionsconfigured to cause the apparatus to: select the icon in the list that,when activated, allows the additional item to be added to the list. 38.The computer program product of claim 36, further comprising programinstructions configured to cause the apparatus to: scroll the list towholly display the icon in response to determining a selection of theicon.
 39. The computer program product of claim 36, further comprisingprogram instructions configured to cause the apparatus to: cause displayof a menu of options associated with an item of the list of items; andremove the additional item in response to selection of a menu option.40. The computer program product of claim 36, further comprising programinstructions configured to cause the apparatus to: further cause theapparatus to cause display of a symbol on an item that has anotification, the symbol being indicative of the notification.